Filter Assembly

ABSTRACT

A filter assembly includes a body of filter media, a seal, and a compression ring. The body of filter media having a first end surface, a second end surface spaced apart from and opposing the first end surface, and an outer surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface. The seal surrounds the first end surface. The compression ring is disposed about the second end surface. The compression ring includes a first channel configured to allow fluid communication between the second end surface and the outer surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. patent application is a continuation of, and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 120 from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/806,159,filed on Mar. 2, 2020. The disclosure of the prior application isconsidered part of the disclosure of this application and is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a filter assembly and moreparticularly to a filter assembly having a seal and a compression ring.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

Various filter assemblies are known in the art for filtering fluid, suchas air, as it travels along a fluid path. Such filters include filtermedia which removes impurities from the fluid. In most applications,either the filter assembly or the filter media associated therewith mustbe periodically replaced to reduce the potential for developingunacceptably high impedance in the fluid flow path.

While known filter assemblies have proven to be acceptable for variousapplications, such conventional filter assemblies are neverthelesssusceptible to improvements that may enhance their overall performanceand cost. Therefore, a need exists to develop an improved filterassembly and methodologies for forming the same that advance the art.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a filter assembly. The filterassembly may include a body of filter media, a seal, and a compressionring. The body of filter media may include a first end surface, a secondend surface spaced apart from and opposing the first end surface, and anouter surface extending between the first end surface and the second endsurface. The seal may surround the first end surface. The compressionring may be disposed about the second end surface. The compression ringmay include a first channel configured to allow fluid communicationbetween the second end surface and the outer surface.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. In some implementations, the compressionring includes an end surface and a side surface extending from the endsurface. The first channel may be disposed in the end surface and theside surface.

In some implementations, the end surface extends radially and the sidesurface extends axially.

In some implementations, the compression ring further includes a secondchannel, a third channel, and a fourth channel.

In some implementations, each of the second channel, the third channel,and the fourth channel are disposed in the end surface and the sidesurface of the compression ring.

In some implementations, the first channel, the second channel, thethird channel, and the fourth channel are evenly spaced about the secondend surface of the filter media.

In some implementations, the filter media is substantially cylindrical.

In some implementations, the filter assembly includes a screen element.The screen element may have a first end surface and a second end surfacespaced apart from and opposing the first end surface. The second endsurface of the screen element may be disposed adjacent to the first endsurface of the filter media.

In some implementations, the screen element includes a substantiallydisc-shaped base portion and an outer flange portion.

In some implementations, the body of filter media further defines aledge disposed proximate the first end surface of the body of filtermedia. The seal may be disposed upon the ledge. The seal may surround aportion of the screen element.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a filter assembly. The filterassembly may include a body of filter media, a seal member, and acompression ring. The body of filter media may include an inlet end, anoutlet end spaced apart from and opposing the inlet end, and a sidewallextending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The seal member mayextend around the body. The seal member may include a firstradially-extending surface. The outlet end may be disposed between thefirst radially-extending surface and the inlet end. The compression ringmay extend around the body. The compression ring may include a secondradially-extending surface defining a first channel extending betweenthe inlet end and the sidewall. The inlet end may be disposed betweenthe second radially-extending surface and the outlet end.

Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or moreof the following optional features. In some implementations, thecompression ring further includes an axially-extending surface. Thefirst channel may be disposed in the second radially-extending surfaceand the axially-extending surface.

In some implementations, the second radially-extending surface of thecompression ring further defines a second channel, a third channel, anda fourth channel.

In some implementations, each of the second channel, the third channel,and the fourth channel is disposed in the second radially-extendingsurface and the axially-extending surface of the compression ring.

In some implementations, the first channel, the second channel, thethird channel, and the fourth channel are evenly spaced about the bodyof filter media.

In some implementations, the filter media is substantially cylindrical.

In some implementation, the filter assembly further includes a screenelement. The screen element may have a first end surface and a secondend surface spaced apart from and opposing the first end surface. Thesecond end surface may be disposed adjacent to the outlet end of thefilter media.

In some implementations, the screen element includes a substantiallydisc-shaped base portion and an outer flange.

In some implementations, the body of filter media further defines aledge disposed proximate the outlet end.

In some implementations, the seal member is disposed upon the ledge. Theseal member may surround at least a portion of the screen element.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected configurations and not all possible implementations, and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a filter assembly in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure, a portion of the housing removedfor illustration purposes;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a filter element for use with thefilter assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the filter element of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the filter of FIG. 3 takenalong the line 4-4.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe drawings

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scopeof the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specificdetails are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices,and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations ofthe present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art that specific details need not be employed, that exampleconfigurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that thespecific details and the example configurations should not be construedto limit the scope of the disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. Asused herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intendedto include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,”and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence offeatures, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The methodsteps, processes, and operations described herein are not to beconstrued as necessarily requiring their performance in the particularorder discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as anorder of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer,it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to theother element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attachedto,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be nointervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describevarious elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. Theseelements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not belimited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish oneelement, component, region, layer or section from another region, layeror section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical termsdo not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by thecontext. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or sectiondiscussed below could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section without departing from the teachings of the exampleconfigurations.

With reference to FIG. 1, a filter assembly 10 is shown. As will beexplained in more detail below, the filter assembly 10 may be used forremoving impurities and/or particulates from a fluid passingtherethrough. For example, the filter assembly 10 may be used in avehicle (not shown), such as an automobile or commercial equipment, toremove impurities from air passing between the environment and an engineor motor of the vehicle. In this regard, the filter assembly 10 mayinclude an inlet end 12 and an outlet end 14. The fluid containing theparticulates may enter the filter assembly 10 at the inlet end 12, andclean air (e.g., air without the particulates) may exit the filterassembly 10 at the outlet end 14.

The filter assembly 10 may include a filter element 16 and a housing 18.As illustrated in FIG. 1, the filter element 16 may be disposed withinthe housing 18. In some configurations, the housing 18 includes a bodyportion 20 and a cover 22. In an assembled configuration, the cover 22may be removably coupled to the body portion 20 to define a chamber 24.In this regard, the cover 22 may be removed from the body portion 20 toprovide access to the chamber 24 and the filter element 16 disposedtherein.

The cover 22 may include a first support wall 26, a second support wall28, and an outer wall 30. The first and second support walls 26, 28 maybe disposed proximate the inlet end 12. In some implementations, atleast a portion (e.g., an inner surface) of the first support wall 26extends in a radial direction, while at least a portion (e.g., an innersurface) of the second support wall 28 and at least a portion (e.g., aninner surface) of the outer wall 30 extends in an axial direction. Inthis regard, the inner surface of the outer wall 30 may define a firstdiameter D1, while the inner surface of the second support wall 28 maydefine a second diameter D2 that is less than the first diameter D1.

The body portion 20 may include a third support wall 32 and a fourthsupport wall 34. The third and fourth support walls 32, 34 may bedisposed proximate the outlet end 14. In some implementations, at leasta portion (e.g., an inner surface) of the third support wall 32 extendsin a radial direction, while at least a portion (e.g., an inner surface)of the fourth support wall 34 extends in an axial direction. The innersurface of the fourth support wall 34 may define a third diameter D3that is substantially similar (e.g., equal to) to the second diameterD2.

As will be explained in more detail below, in the assembledconfiguration, the filter element 16 may be disposed within the chamber24 such that one or both of the first and second support walls 26, 28engage a first end of the filter element 16, while one or both of thethird and fourth support walls 32, 34 engage a second end of the filterelement 16, to secure the filter element 16 between the body portion 20and the cover 22 within the chamber 24.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the filter element 16 may include a filtermedia 36, a seal member 38, a screen element 40, a compression ring 42,and a plug 43. In some implementations, the filter media 36 includes afluted sheet secured to a flat sheet. The fluted sheet may include acorrugated layer secured to the flat sheet via an adhesive. Thecorrugated layer may include straight flutes, whereby the flutes areparallel to one another. The straight flutes may include crushed ends orpinched ends. In some implementations, the corrugated layer includestapered flutes, whereby alternating flutes gradually converge from awide section to a narrow section with the subsequent adjacent flutediverging from a narrow section to a wide section. While the filtermedia 36 is generally shown and described herein as defining a flutedsheet secured to a flat sheet, it will be appreciated that the filtermedia 36 may take other forms (e.g., pleated filter media) within thescope of the present disclosure.

In some implementations, the filter media 36 is wrapped in a coiledconfiguration. For example, the filter media 36 may be wrapped to definea substantially cylindrical shape. In other implementations, the filtermedia 36 may be wrapped to define other shapes (e.g., oval, oblong,rectangular, etc.). In some configurations, the filter media 36 iscoreless, whereby the filter media (e.g., the fluted sheets and the flatsheets) are disposed only around one each other or a hollow, and are notaround a central core member or other structure.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the filter media 36 may extend along alongitudinal axis A1 and include a body 44 having a first end 46 and asecond end 48 spaced apart from and opposing the first end 46. Withreference to FIG. 1, in the assembled configuration, the first end 46may be disposed proximate the inlet end 12 of the filter assembly 10.The second end 48 may be disposed proximate the outlet end 14 of thefilter assembly 10. In this regard, as will be explained in more detailbelow, the first end 46 may correspond to an inlet for the flow of fluidthrough the filter media 36 and the filter assembly 10, while the secondend 48 may correspond to an outlet for the flow of fluid through thefilter media 36 and the filter assembly 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the body 44 may include a outer side surface50 extending between the first end 46 and the second end 48. The outerside surface 50 may define a fourth diameter D4. The fourth diameter D4may be less than the second diameter D2. In some configurations, thebody 44 includes a ledge 52 disposed proximate the outlet end 14 of thefilter assembly 10. In some implementations, the ledge 52 is formed bycutting the body 44 of the filter media 36. For example, the ledge 52may be formed by cutting a channel into the outer side surface 50 andthe second end 48. In other implementations, the ledge 52 may be formedby wrapping the filter media 36 at varying positions along thelongitudinal axis A1.

The ledge 52 may define or otherwise include a top surface 54 and a sidesurface 56. The top surface 54 may be disposed between the first andsecond ends 46, 48. In some implementations, the top surface 54 extendsin a radial direction. The side surface 56 extends from the top surface54 and be disposed between the longitudinal axis A1 and the outer sidesurface 50. In this regard, the side surface 56 may extend in an axialdirection. The side surface 56 may define a fifth diameter that is lessthan the fourth diameter D4.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the seal member 38 may include afirst end surface 58, a second end surface 60, an outer side surface 62,and an inner side surface 64. The second end surface 60 may be spacedapart from and opposing the first end surface 58. In someimplementations, the first and second end surfaces 58, 60 extend in aradial direction relative to the axis A1. The outer side surface 62 mayextend between the first end surface 58 and the second end surface 60.In some implementations, the outer side surface 62 extends in an axialdirection. In this regard, the outer side surface 62 may define a sixthdiameter D6. While the sixth diameter D6 is generally shown as beinglarger than the fourth diameter D4 of the body 44 of the filter media36, in some implementations, the sixth diameter D6 may be substantiallysimilar to (e.g., equal to) the fourth diameter D4. The inner sidesurface 64 of the seal member 38 may extend between the first endsurface 58 and the second end surface 60. In some implementations, theinner side surface 64 extends in an axial direction. In this regard, theinner side surface 64 may define a seven diameter D7 that is less thanthe sixth diameter D6. The seventh diameter D7 may be substantiallysimilar to (e.g., equal to) the fifth diameter D5 of the filter media36.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, in the assembledconfiguration, the seal member 38 may be disposed proximate the secondend 48 of the body 44 of the filter media 36. For example, the sealmember 38 may be disposed on the ledge 52 such that the seal member 38surrounds the second end 48 and the longitudinal axis A1. As illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 3, the second end 48 of the body 44 of the filter media36 may be disposed between the second end surface 60 of the seal member38 and the first end 46 of the body 44 of the filter media 36, while theouter side surface 50 of the body 44 of the filter media 36 may be flush(e.g., coplanar), or disposed radially outward of, the outer sidesurface 62 of the seal member 38. In this regard, the second end surface60 of the seal member 38 may extend proud of the second end 48 of thebody 44 of the filter media 36 in the axial direction, while the outerside surface 50 of the body 44 of the filter media 36 may be flush with,or extend proud of, the outer side surface 62 of the seal member 38 inthe radial direction. The seal member 38 may be formed of a compressiblematerial, such as rubber or plastic, for example. In someimplementations, the seal member 38 is formed of a polyurethane foam.

With reference to FIG. 1, when the filter assembly 10 is in an assembledconfiguration, the seal member 38 may directly engage the body portion20 of the housing 18. For example, the seal member 38 may engage one orboth of the third support wall 32 or the fourth support wall 34 of thehousing 18. In some implementations, the second end surface 60 of theseal member 38 directly engages the third support wall 32 of the housing18, while the outer side surface 62 of the seal member 38 is spacedapart from the fourth support wall 34 of the housing 18. In otherimplementations, the second end surface 60 of the seal member 38directly engages the third support wall 32 of the housing 18, and theouter side surface 62 of the seal member 38 directly engages the fourthsupport wall 34 of the housing 18. Engagement between the second endsurface 60 of the seal member 38 and the third support wall 32 of thehousing 18, and/or the outer side surface 62 of the seal member 38 andthe fourth support wall 34 of the housing 18, may provide a sealingarrangement that prevents or otherwise inhibits a flow of fluid from theinlet end 12 of the filter assembly 10 to the outlet end 14 of thefilter assembly 10 other than through the second end 48 of the filtermedia 36.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the screen element 40 may include a baseportion 66 and an flange portion 68. The base portion 66 may define afirst end 70 and a second end 72. In some implementations, the baseportion 66 is substantially disc-shaped such that the first end 70and/or the second end 72 extend in a substantially planar direction. Thebase portion 66 may define an eighth diameter D8, that is substantiallysimilar to (e.g., equal to) the fifth diameter D5 of the filter media 36and the seventh diameter D7 of the seal member 38.

The flange portion 68 may extend from, and surround, the base portion66. In some implementations, the flange portion 68 extends from the baseportion 66 at an angle α. The angle α may be between five degrees andone hundred seventy-five degrees. In some implementations, the angle αis substantially equal (e.g., +/−ten degrees) to one hundred thirty-fivedegrees. The screen element 40 may be formed of a rigid or semi-rigidmaterial defining a plurality of apertures therethrough. For example,the screen element 40 may be formed from a mesh (e.g., metal, plastic,etc.) defining a plurality of apertures that allow fluid to flow throughthe base portion 66 in the axial direction relative to the axis A1.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, in an assembled configuration, thescreen element 40 is disposed adjacent to the body 44 of the filtermedia 36. In particular, the first end 70 of the screen element 40 mayengage the second end 48 of the body 44 of the filter media 36. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, in some implementations, the seal member38 is molded to the body 44 of the filter media 36 and/or the screenelement 40. In this regard, the seal member 38 may be overmolded to thescreen element 40 such that the seal member 38 encapsulates the flangeportion 68, thereby securing the screen element 40 to the body 44 of thefilter media 36.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some implementations, the compression ring42 includes a first end surface 74, a second end surface 76, an outerside surface 78, and an inner side surface 80. The second end surface 76may be spaced apart from and opposing the first end surface 74. In someimplementations, the first and second end surfaces 74, 76 extend in aradial direction relative to the axis A1. The outer side surface 78 mayextend between the first end surface 74 and the second end surface 76.In some implementations, the outer side surface 78 extends in an axialdirection relative to the axis A1. The outer side surface 78 may definea ninth diameter D9 that is substantially similar to, or larger than,the fourth diameter D4 of the filter media 36 and the sixth diameter D6of the sealing member 38. The inner side surface 80 may extend betweenthe first end surface 74 and the second end surface 76. In someimplementations, the inner side surface 80 extends in an axial directionrelative to the axis A1. The inner side surface 80 may define a tenthdiameter D10 that is less than the ninth diameter D9. The tenth diameterD10 may be substantially similar to (e.g., equal to) the fifth diameterD5 of the filter media 36, the seventh diameter D7 of the sealing member38, and the eighth diameter D8 of the screen element 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in some implementations, the compression ring42 includes one or more channels 82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-n. In this regard,while the compression ring 82 is generally shown and described herein asincluding four channels 82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-n, it will be appreciatedthat the compression ring 42 may include more or less than four channels82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-n within the scope of the present disclosure. Insome implementations, the channels 82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-n are evenlyspaced about the compression ring 42.

The channels 82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-n may be formed in the first endsurface 74 and/or the outer side surface 78 of the compression ring 42.The channels 82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-n may extend in a radial and/or axialdirection. In this regard, each of the channels 82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-nmay be defined in part by an end surface 90 and a side surface 92. Theend surface 90 may extend in a radial direction, and the side surface 92may extend in an axial direction, such that the end surface 90 and theside surface 92 cooperate to define an L-shape. It will be appreciatedthat the end surface 90 and the side surface 92 may cooperate to defineother shapes within the scope of the present disclosure. As will beexplained in more detail below, during operation of the filter assembly10 the channels 82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-n allow fluid communication betweenthe first end 46 and the outer side surface 50 of the body 44 of thefilter media 36 and prevent the compression ring 42 from forming asealed relationship with, or relative to, the housing 18.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, in the assembled configuration, thecompression ring 42 may be disposed about the first end 46 of the body44 of the filter media 36. In this regard, with reference to FIG. 4, thesecond end surface 76 of the compression ring 42 may be disposedadjacent to the first end 46 of the body 44 of the filter media 36. Insome implementations, the compression ring 42 is molded to the filtermedia 36. In other implementations, the compression ring 42 may befastened to the filter media 36 via an adhesive or a snap-fitconfiguration.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first end 46 of the body 44 of thefilter media 36 may be disposed between the first end surface 74 of thecompression ring 42 and the second end 48 of the body 44 of the filtermedia 36, while the outer side surface 50 of the body 44 of the filtermedia 36 may be disposed radially inward of the outer side surface 78 ofthe compression ring 42. In this regard, the first end surface 74 of thecompression ring 42 may extend proud of the first end 46 of the body 44of the filter media 36 in the axial direction, while the outer sidesurface 78 of the compression ring 42 may extend proud of the outer sidesurface 50 of the body 44 of the filter media 36 in the radialdirection. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some implementations, the sidesurface 92 of the compression ring 42 is substantially flush with theouter side surface 50 of the body 44. The compression ring 42 may beformed of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic or metal, forexample. In some implementations, the compression ring 42 is formed froma polyurethane. In particular, the compression ring 42 may be formedfrom a substantially incompressible material, such that the applicationof a force in either the radial or axial direction upon the surfaces 74,76, 78, 80 of the compression ring 42 does not deform the surfaces(e.g., 90, 92) defining the channels 82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-n, orotherwise prevent the flow of fluid through the channels 82-1, 82-2, . .. 82-n during operation of the filter assembly 10.

With reference to FIG. 1, when the filter assembly 10 is in theassembled configuration, the compression ring 42 may directly engage thecover 22 of the housing 18. In particular, the outer side surface 78 ofthe compression ring 42 may directly engage the second support wall 28of the housing 18, while the first end surface 74 of the compressionring 42 may directly engage the first support wall 26 of the housing 18.As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the diameter D4 of the body 44 of thefilter media 36 is less than the diameter D1 of housing 18, therebydefining an annular passage 94 disposed within the chamber 24 of thehousing 18. In particular, the passage 94 may be disposed between theouter side surface 50 of the filter media 36 and the outer wall 30 ofthe housing 18.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the plug 43 may be disposed proximatethe first end 46 of the filter media 36. In some implementations, theplug 43 is molded to the first end 46 such that the entirety of the plug43 is coplanar with, or extends proud of, the first end 46. Inparticular, the plug 43 may be disposed on the first end 46 such that noportion of the plug is disposed between the first and second ends 46, 48of the filter media 36. The plug 43 may be formed from one or more of avariety of materials, including plastic, metal, or rubber, for example.In some implementations, the plug 43 and the compression ring 42 areformed from the same material. During operation, the plug 43 preventsfluid from traveling through the center core portion of the filter media36.

During operation of the filter assembly 10, the channels 82-1, 82-2, . .. 82-n of the compression ring 42 may be in fluid communication with thepassage 94. In this regard, the channels 82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-n maycooperate with the housing 18 to define a fluid pathway 96 from theinlet end 12 of the filter assembly 10 to the passage 94. The fluidpathway 96 may include a radial extending portion 98 and an axialextending portion 100 in fluid communication with the radial extendingportion 98. In particular, the end surface 90 of the channels 82-1,82-2, . . . 82-n may be spaced apart from the first support wall 26 ofthe housing 18, thereby forming the radially extending portion 98 of thefluid pathway 96, while the side surface 92 of the channels 82-1, 82-2,. . . 82-n may be spaced apart from the second support wall 28 of thehousing 18, thereby forming the axial extending portion 100 of the fluidpathway 96.

During operation of the filter assembly 10, unfiltered fluid enters thefilter assembly 10 at the inlet end 12, whereby at least some of thefluid may travel through the fluid pathway 96, formed by the channels82-1, 82-2, . . . 82-n of the compression ring 42 and the first andsecond support walls 26, 28 of the housing 18, to the passage 94. Inthis regard, the fluid may travel in a radial direction through theradially extending portion 98 of the fluid pathway 96 and in an axialdirection through the axial extending portion 100 of the fluid pathway96 to the passage 94 prior to flowing through the first end 46 and thesecond end 48 of the filter media 36.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustrationand description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure. Individual elements or features of a particularconfiguration are generally not limited to that particularconfiguration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can beused in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown ordescribed. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter assembly, comprising: a filter mediabody including a filter media side surface extending between a firstfilter media end surface and a second filter media end surface; and acompression ring disposed adjacent to the second filter media endsurface and one or more fluid channels each defining a fluid pathwayextending continuously from a first end adjacent to the second filtermedia end surface to a second end adjacent to the filter media sidesurface.
 2. The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the compression ringincludes a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
 3. The filter assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the filter media side surface is cylindrical anddefines a first diameter and the compression ring includes an outer ringsurface having a second diameter that is greater than first diameter. 4.The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the compression ring includes afirst end surface defining a width of the compression ring and an outerring surface extending from the first end surface and defining a lengthof the compression ring, and wherein each of the one or more fluidchannels includes a first channel portion extending through the entirewidth of the first end surface and a second channel portion extendingfrom the first channel portion through the entire length of the outerring surface.
 5. The filter assembly of claim 4, further comprising afilter housing including a first support wall contacting the first endsurface and a second support wall contacting the outer ring surface, thefirst channel portion forming a first fluid pathway between the firstend surface and the first support wall and the second channel portionforming a second fluid pathway between the outer ring surface and thesecond support wall.
 6. The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein each ofthe one or more fluid channels includes a first channel portionextending in a radial direction from the first end of the fluid channeland a second channel portion extending in an axial direction from thefirst channel portion to the second end of the fluid channel.
 7. Thefilter assembly of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the compressionring is disposed radially inwardly of the filter media side surface anda second portion of the compression ring is disposed radially outwardlyfrom the filter media side surface.
 8. The filter assembly of claim 1,further comprising a seal disposed adjacent to the first filter mediaend surface.
 9. The filter assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one ofthe seal and the compression ring is disposed within an annular channelformed between the filter media side surface and one of the first filtermedia end surface and the second filter media end surface.
 10. Thefilter assembly of claim 1, further comprising a screen element disposedadjacent to the first filter media end surface of the filter media body.11. A filter assembly, comprising: a filter media body including afilter media side surface extending between a first filter media endsurface and a second filter media end surface; and a compression ringdisposed between the filter media side surface and the second filtermedia end surface and defining one or more fluid pathways each extendingfrom a first end in fluid communication with the second filter media endsurface to a second end in fluid communication with the filter mediaside surface.
 12. The filter assembly of claim 11, wherein thecompression ring includes a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
 13. Thefilter assembly of claim 11, wherein the filter media side surface iscylindrical and defines a first diameter and the compression ringincludes an outer ring surface having a second diameter that is greaterthan first diameter.
 14. The filter assembly of claim 11, wherein thecompression ring includes a first end surface defining a width of thecompression ring and an outer ring surface extending from the first endsurface and defining a length of the compression ring, and wherein eachof the one or more fluid pathways is defined by a channel including afirst channel portion extending through the entire width of the firstring surface and a second channel portion extending from the firstchannel portion through the entire length of the outer ring surface. 15.The filter assembly of claim 14, further comprising a filter housingincluding a first support wall contacting the first end surface and asecond support wall contacting the outer ring surface, the first channelportion forming a first fluid pathway between the first ring surface andthe first support wall and the second channel portion forming a secondfluid pathway between the outer ring surface and the second supportwall.
 16. The filter assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the one ormore fluid pathways is defined by a channel including a first channelportion extending in a radial direction from the first end of the fluidchannel and a second channel portion extending in an axial directionfrom the first channel portion to the second end of the fluid channel.17. The filter assembly of claim 11, wherein a first portion of thecompression ring is disposed radially inwardly of the filter media sidesurface and a second portion of the compression ring is disposedradially outwardly from the filter media side surface.
 18. The filterassembly of claim 11, further comprising a seal disposed adjacent to thefirst filter media end surface.
 19. The filter assembly of claim 18,wherein at least one of the seal and the compression ring is disposedwithin an annular channel formed between the filter media side surfaceand one of the first filter media end surface and the second filtermedia end surface.
 20. The filter assembly of claim 11, furthercomprising a screen element disposed adjacent to the first filter mediaend surface of the filter media body.